Peru Constitutional Court suspends specific pesticides

The Second Chamber of the Constitutional Court of Peru has ordered Senasa to temporarily suspend the sale, distribution, and use of several phytosanitary products. This suspension affects pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, methomyl, glyphosate, imidacloprid, and clothianidin intended for the production of vegetable foods for domestic consumption.

The ruling, issued via Case No. 03269-2023-PA/TC, mandates a technical-scientific re-evaluation of these substances. The court also noted monitoring results that detected residues exceeding permitted limits for other substances, including metamidophos, parathion, trichlorfon, and carbofuran, though these fall under different regulatory circumstances.

Experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the mere presence of residues and the exceeding of legal limits. While the presence of residues causes consumer concern, the court's action focuses on ensuring food safety through scientific reassessment of specific high-risk substances.